INDIANA : CHECK WITH STATE BOARD: CHANGED
Broad wording in state vet practice now includes:
“Complimentary or alternative therapy” as the practice of veterinary medicine

IOWA : NO RESPONSE FROM VET BOARD: ACUPRESSURE NOT ALLOWED
Broad wording in state vet practice now includes:
“animal physical therapy, veterinary acupuncture and acupressure, animal chiropractic, and all other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine” as the practice of veterinary medicine

KANSAS : ALLOWED WITH VET SUPERVISION
No specific wording in state vet practice act in regards to massage however this particular wording is included in the act:
“Independent contractor under direct or indirect supervision of veterinarian as specified by regulation”

KENTUCKY : GRAY AREA
Broad wording in state vet practice now includes:
“All other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine”

NEW YORK : NOT ALLOWED: VET ONLY OR VET TECH WITH VET SUPERVISION
No specific wording in the state practice act however it has been bought to our attention that according the state human massage board, animal massage is allowed to be performed only by vets or vet tech with supervision.

NORTH CAROLINA : ALLOWED WITH DIRECT VET SUPERVISION
Broad wording in state vet practice act however guidelines were provided by the state board

NORTH DAKOTA : ALLOWED
Broad wording in state vet practice act however guidelines were provided by the state board

OHIO : ALLOWED WITH DIRECT VET SUPERVISION
Broad wording in state vet practice act however guidelines were provided by the state board

OKLAHOMA : ALLOWED WITH VET REFFERAL
S pecific wording in the state practice act:
“Individuals certified in animal massage therapy who acquire liability insurance may engage in animal massage therapy after referral from a licensed veterinarian”

OREGON : ALLOWED WITH VET REFERRAL
S pecific wording in the state practice act:
“Allied health professionals upon referral from a licensed veterinarian”

PENNSYLVANIA : ALLOWED WITH DIRECT VET SUPERVISION
S pecific wording in the state practice act:
“Chiropractic, dental, dental hygiene and physical therapy procedures performed upon animals by licensed individuals in conjunction with the practice of veterinary medicine and under the direct supervision of a veterinarian”

PUERTO RICO : ALLOWED
Guidelines were provided by the state board

RHODE ISLAND : ALLOWED WITH DIRECT VET SUPERVISION
No specific wording in state vet practice act however interpretation was received from the vet board

SOUTH CAROLINA : VET MAY DELEGATE
Specific wording in the state practice act:
“Veterinarians may delegate the performance of procedures, therapeutic options and alternate therapies, under certain conditions, including acupuncture, manipulation and adjustment, magnetic field therapy, holistic medicine, homeopathy, herbology/naturopathy, massage, and physical therapy”

SOUTH DAKOTA : ALLOWED
No specific wording in state vet practice act

TENNESSEE : ALLOWED-CASE PENDING
Broad wording in state vet practice act includes the following terms included as the practice of veterinary medicine:
“All other branches or specialties of veterinary medicine”
“The State of Tennessee does not have any animal massage laws in place at this time.”

TEXAS : UNDER GENERAL, OR DIRECT, VETERINARY SUPERVISION

Texas Administrative CodeTITLE 22 EXAMINING BOARDSPART 24 TEXAS BOARD OF VETERINARY MEDICAL EXAMINERSCHAPTER 573 RULES OF PROFESSIONAL CONDUCTSUBCHAPTER B SUPERVISION OF PERSONNEL
RULE §573.14 Alternate Therapies–Chiropractic and Other Forms of Musculoskeletal Manipulation
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(a) Definition. For the purpose of this rule, animal chiropractic and other forms of musculoskeletal manipulation (MSM) are systems of therapeutic application of mechanical forces applied manually through the hands or any mechanical device to treat and/or alleviate impaired or altered function of related components of the musculoskeletal system of nonhuman animals. Animal chiropractic and other forms of MSM in nonhuman animals are considered to be alternate therapies in the practice of veterinary medicine.
(b) Treatment using animal chiropractic and other forms of MSM. Animal chiropractic and other forms of MSM may only be performed by the following.
(1) A licensed veterinarian. Animal chiropractic and MSM may be performed by a licensed veterinarian under the following conditions:
(A) a valid veterinarian-client-patient relationship has been established as defined in the Act;
(B) an examination has been made by the licensee to determine that animal chiropractic/MSM will not likely be harmful to the patient; and
(C) the licensee obtains as a part of the patient’s permanent record a signed acknowledgment by the owner or other caretaker of the patient that animal chiropractic or MSM is considered by Texas law to be an alternate therapy.
(2) A non-veterinarian employee or an independent contractor. A non-veterinarian employee or an independent contractor may perform these procedures on an animal under the direct or general supervision of the veterinarian if the conditions in paragraph (1)(A) – (C) of this subsection have been met.
(3) An individual to whom the exceptions of the Act, §801.004, apply.
(c) Responsibility. Whether the animal chiropractic/MSM is performed by a veterinarian or a non-veterinarian employee or an independent contractor working under the supervision of a licensee, the Board will hold the veterinarian to a level of professional judgment as would be exercised by the average Texas veterinarian who performs or recommends chiropractic/MSM treatments in his/her practice.

WASHINGTON : ALLOWED; NEW LAW IN LIMBO WITH FISCAL ASSIGNMENT
Specific wording in state vet practice act
Act will read as allowed by certified animal massage therapists once fees have been approved by legislature. Until then the old guidelines (see below) still apply

WEST VIRGINIA : NO RESPONSE FROM VET BOARD

WISCONSIN : ALLOWED WITH DIRECT VET SUPERVISION
No specific wording in state vet practice act however, the state board interpretation offered guidelines

WYOMING : NO RESPONSE FROM VET BOARD

Thank you, Equinology INC® and Caninology® for providing this information

IAAMB tracks the laws and legislative activities of each state and works with members to make them friendlier to animal massage and bodyworkers.

Disclaimer!

United States Animal Massage: Laws by State
Before registering for a US class or if you are a US resident intending to take a class and use the skills for a business, we request that you read the individual state law pertaining to the state which you intend to work. You may reside in a state and choose to work in a neighboring state which allows you to practice within the parameters of that state law.

While every effort has been made to make sure these are correct, these versions may not be the current law. Court decisions amend them, and a host of other factors come into play when interpreting them. If you read most any practice act, unless it specifically allows massage, most can be interpreted in either direction depending on who is arguing the case.

Again please understand that state laws constantly change and are often left up to interpretation of the current board. International Association of Animal Massage and Bodywork, its owners and employees will not be held accountable for any information listed in this summary. These summaries are merely here as a collection of information and summaries that we have run across in our searches. If you need a thorough review and analysis of your state’s practice act wording and exemptions, we advise you to evaluate the full text of the statute and regulations which can be found on most state government sites, and consult a knowledgeable attorney.